YouTube adds HDR support ahead of PS4 Pro launch

According to an announcement on the official company blog, YouTube now supports high-dynamic range (or HDR) colour in videos uploaded to the site. The change comes only days in advance of the launch of the PlayStation 4 Pro console.

Users can now stream content in HDR, provided they are running displays and televisions capable of supporting it. YouTube have been supporting 4K quality streams for quite a while now, but this will be the first time they have opened the doors to HDR. The change will allow those with HDR-ready TV’s and monitors to stream videos that take advantage of the heightened colour, contrast and clarity.

The blog also indicates that YouTube will be pushing for more HDR content moving forward, stating “(as) more HDR devices become available, YouTube will work with partners to enable streaming of the HDR version.”

Those picking up a PS4 Pro on Thursday will be able to start uploading 4K, HDR content to YouTube immediately. HDR is, of course, one of the console biggest draws and those with the kinds of high-end hardware capable of capturing video in HDR will benefit the most.

This will be followed by Xbox Scorpio which will, according to Microsoft, also support 4K HDR on launch. This is in addition to the current Xbox One S hardware, which also supports HDR out of the box.

As of this writing PlayStation have not updated the PS4 YouTube app to include 4K or HDR support. They have, however, stated in the past that an updated version of the PS4 YouTube app is on the way but that it likely wouldn’t make the console’s Nov 10 launch date. That said, if you don’t own an HDR-compatible monitor or television then you have nothing to worry about there.